Exploring the potential mechanisms of polysaccharides against gastric ulcer: Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking validation

Gastric ulcer is a common peptic ulcer that affects human health and life quality seriously. As anti-gastric ulcer drugs usually cause side-effects, polysaccharides may be the potential alternatives because of better effectiveness and less toxicity. Although the anti-gastric ulcer activities of polysaccharides have been widely reported, the mechanisms have not yet been well-disclosed. In this study, network pharmacology analysis was performed to explore the potential mechanisms of polysaccharides against gastric ulcer, and the results were validated by molecular docking. Results indicated that β-glucan, arabinogalactan, xylan, and arabinan were the key structures, and ABL1, AKT1, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, v-Ha-ras Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, HSP90AA1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), MAPK14, NOS2, PIK3R1, RAC1, ras homolog gene family member A, and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src were the core targets for polysaccharides in treating gastric ulcer. Polysaccharides have influences on 1958 GO items and 199 KEGG pathways, and their anti-gastric ulcer activities are related to MAPK, Ras, PI3K-Akt, vascular endothelial growth factor, prolactin, FoxO and Rap1 signaling pathways, etc. Molecular docking validation showed that the results of network pharmacology analysis were credible, and interactions between polysaccharide structures and core targets were observed. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms of polysaccharides in treating gastric ulcer and provides references for future activity screening and mechanism research in anti-gastric ulcer.